Why exports of sheep and lamb meat are rising

After hitting its lowest level in a century just two years ago, the national sheep flock is on the rise. Find out what’s driving the rebound.

Australia’s sheep flock is rebounding from its 100-year low with analysts predicting it will hit almost 79 million next year.

Meat and Livestock Australia released its industry projections this morning and has revised up the national flock from its February figure.

From survey responses, it now believes the flock will hit 76 million this year but rise another three million next year as seasonal conditions favour increases in numbers.

In other projections, MLA expects:

– Lamb slaughter to rise to 22 million

– Lamb production to increase to 549,000 tonnes

– Lamb exports to lift to 308,000 tonnes (56 per cent of total production)

– Sheep slaughter to rise to 6.12 million.

Lamb slaughter is expected to rise to 22 million. Picture: Andy Rogers

The lift in lamb production to a record level was being driven by high carcass weights, MLA said, and a rise in exports was helping soak up the extra amount.

The average lamb carcass weight this year is 24.9kg.

From January to May this year, Australia exported 110,775 tonnes of lamb, 5 per cent higher than the same period last year.

MLA senior market information analyst Ripley Atkinson said strong growth in emerging export markets such as Malaysia, Japan and South Korea “demonstrates the diverse range of countries Australian lamb and mutton can go”.

“On top of booming markets in Asia, the United States has quickly emerged as Australia’s No.1 destination for lamb exports,” Mr Atkinson said.

The US imported 3 per cent more lamb in the first five months of the year, taking 35,053 tonnes or about 31 per cent of all exports.

Mr Atkinson said the Australian sheep flock was growing strongly and given the high carcass weights, the country was “well positioned to continue supplying high quality protein to both the domestic and international markets”.

“Industry confidence has been further buoyed by favourable seasonal conditions, robust export demand and strong market prices, (so) exciting times ahead,” he said.